Cassia County approves slaughter facility - AgMinute for February 27, 2014

Cassia County has approved a conditional use permit for a cattle slaughter facility near Burley, Idaho. Construction is set to begin this spring. The facility will eventually process 500 head a day. Click here for the full story

Cleanliness key as safety regs loom, expert says - AgMinute for February 26, 2014

A food safety expert advised prune producers to stress cleanliness and good record-keeping as new federal produce safety rules loom. Click here for the full story

Equipment dealers told to target customer needs - AgMinute for February 25, 2014

Sellers of farm machinery will need to strengthen their game as growers tighten their purse strings, according to an industry expert. Click here for the full story

Census: Farmers getting older, fewer in number - AgMinute for February 24, 2014

The 2012 Census of Agriculture shows the number of U.S. farms is dropping, but the amount of farmland acreage is holding steady. Production value, farmers' age and minority ownership are all increasing. Click here for the full story

Ag Census: Farms losing women - AgMinute for Feb. 21, 2014

The number of women who are principal operators took a curious drop in 2012, falling 5.9 percent nationally and 15 percent in Oregon after spiking in the 2007 Census. See more at CapitalPress.com

Minimum wage hike: pros/cons - AgMinute for February 20, 2014

The Congressional Budget Office said gradually raising the minimum from $7.25 hourly to $10.10 would lift 900,000 people above the federal poverty level by 2016. That is out of 45 million who would otherwise live in poverty without an increase. But the analysis also noted a downside: About 0.3 percent fewer jobs, especially for low-income workers; higher costs for business owners and higher prices for consumers. Click here for the full story

Farm bill adds $135 million to pulse research - AgMinute for February 19, 2014

Funding authorized in the farm Bill adds $135 million to efforts to boost research about pulse crops and increase their use in school meal programs. Click here for the full story

Pineapple Express brings water relief to Idaho - AgMinute for February 18, 2014

A weather system called a Pineapple Express began dumping wet snow and rain across Idaho earlier this month, and now water managers are revising their outlook. Click here for the full story

Idaho ag exports set third-straight record - AgMinute for February 17, 2014

Idaho ag exports in 2013 fell just short of reaching the billion-dollar mark but still set a record for the third straight year. The sale of Idaho farm products abroad was led by the dairy category. Click here for the full story

Net farm income expected to drop in 2014 - AgMinute for February 14, 2014

U.S. net farm income is expected to drop 26.6 percent in 2014 but will still be the seventh highest since 1973. Click here for the full story

The Dairy Policies They Are a-Changin' - AgMinute for February 13, 2014

A margin insurance program for dairy producers in the new farm bill is a fundamental change from old price support policies and offers a lot of flexibility. Producers are encouraged to do their homework to determine if and how they want to participate. Click here for the full story

Storm provides Northwest much-needed moisture - AgMinute for February 12, 2014

A wet start to February is welcome news for irrigators throughout the Pacific Northwest, who face water deficits due to dry weather through January. Click here for the full story

Rabobank: U.S. beef model must change - AgMinute for February 11, 2014

The U.S. beef production model, structured for quality high-end cuts, is widening the price gap between beef and competing proteins and further eroding U.S. per capita beef consumption. The model could be changed to gain efficiencies and better meet consumers' high demand for ground beef by managing a portion of the cattle for that market instead of the high-end market. Click here for the full story

Grazing improvement bill passes House - AgMinute for February 10, 2014

With Thursday’s passage in the House of the Grazing Improvement Act, H.R. 657, ranchers say they are one step closer to untangling what has become an onerous process to be able to graze on public lands. Click here for the full story

New ag coalition seeks GMO standards - AgMinute for February 7, 2014

A new coalition of food industry businesses and nongovernmental organizations will advocate for federal policy requiring labeling of biotech ingredients only when they're linked to a health or nutrition issue. - Click here for the full story

Milk prices hit record high - AgMinute for February 6, 2014

Record-high milk prices and lower feed costs have not yet spurred much of a milk production response in the U.S. Feed quality and availability issues, harsh winter weather, a heavily culled cow herd, and prior financial losses are slowing expansion. Click here for the full story

Senate passes farm bill on to Obama - AgMinute for February 5, 2014

The Senate Tuesday passed the farm bill on a 68-32 vote. The measure now goes to President Obama for his signature. Click here for the full story

Senate set to vote on farm bill - AgMinute for February 4, 2014

After more than two years, the U.S. Senate will vote Tuesday on a new farm bill, the last hurdle before the legislation goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. Click here for the full story

Researchers seek new fresh pack spud varieties - AgMinute for February 3, 2014

Washington State University researchers are examining new potato varieties as an alternative for the leading fresh pack variety, the Russet Norkotah. WSU research assistant Rhett Spear says newer varieties can offer farmers more disease resistance and improved yields. Click here for the full story

Potato leaders look to challenges ahead - AgMinute for January 31, 2014

National Potato Council CEO John Keeling says the farm bill is mostly positive for specialty crop research funding, but cautions farmers that new permitting rules could open the door to legal challenges. Click here for the full story

Farm bill compromise attracts broad support - AgMinute for January 30, 2014

Officials representing most of the major crops in the Pacific Northwest say they support the farm bill. Click here for the full story